The U.S. Embassy in Accra will be closed to the public for a minimum of two weeks effective Wednesday, March 25, at 5:00 p.m.

A communique from the Embassy, Thursday said its doors will remain shut "until at least Wednesday, April 8, 2020."

It added that the shutdown period could be extended as circumstances warrant. 

The Embassy said its staff will continue to work remotely and will do their utmost to assist U.S. citizens with emergencies to the greatest extent possible under the current circumstances.

According to the mission, the "step is being taken out of an abundance of caution and in order to continue to protect American citizens in Ghana, maintain the safety of the U.S. Embassy staff, and ensure we abide by the government of Ghana’s call for the minimum movement to defeat COVID-19."

The U.S. Embassy in Accra temporarily suspended routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments, effective March 17, 2020. 

The Embassy said, it “will resume routine visa services as soon as possible, but are unable to provide a date at this time.” 

This is in response to President Akufo-Addo’s directive to prevent and contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

According to the Embassy, the “MRV fee is valid and may be used for a visa application in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment.”